Preface and acknowledgements

This volume stems from the notion that a greater knowledge about the continental Celtic tribes could usefully be made available as an adjunct to classical and archaeological studies by illustrating the exciting range of archaeological material available. The various references to the Celtic tribes and their customs might also be studied, on the one hand as linguistic texts and on the other hand (in translation perhaps) as historical documents. For the idea that the Romans were confronted by 'barbarian tribes' makes it difficult to examine dispassionately the cultural collision that was such an important event in western Europe in the later first millennium BC.

We are grateful to the many museums and libraries which have offered every assistance as our independent examinations of the two types of evidence have progressed. We arc grateful to Professor Stuart Piggott for his valued support over many years; Professor D. W. Harding read the text and made a number of useful suggestions. The assistance of Dr D. J. Breeze, Dr P. D. C. Brown, Dr D. V. Clarke, Dr John Collis. Miss Felicity Kinross, Dr I. H. Longworth, Dr Anna Ritchie and Dr M. Rusu is gratefully acknowledged. The help of Mrs E. Glass and Mr I. G. Scott has improved the finished volume immeasurably.